Food Insecurity, Malnutrition and Crude Oil Spillage in a Rural Community in Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Oil is the main stay of Nigeria's economy, but most residents in the oil producing communities still depend entirely on the environment for their sustenance; and so likely to have a problem of food security in the event of a deleterious impact on the environment. This study is to examine the effect of a major crude oil spillage on household food security, and the nutritional status of under-five children in the affected communities. This oil spillage occurred in May 2000, in Etiama Nembe, a rural community in Bayelsa State, south-south Nigeria. Method: The study was carried out six months after the spill, using cross-sectional, external control group study design, with a semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometry as the study tools. The study participants were chosen using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. The questionnaire assessing food insecurity was administered on an adult woman in each of the chosen households, while the anthropometric measurements were taken for every under-five year child in the household. Results: A total of 592 questionnaires were administered and retrieved in both study communities, while anthropometric measurements of 956 under-five year children were taken. There were no significant differences in the age and occupations of the respondents, and in the sizes of their households; although, the respondents in the exposed communities were significantly better educated (p-value < 0.001). There were significant differences in the study groups, in household food security (p-value < 0.000001), and in the prevalence of under-five children with underweight (p-value <0.0001), and wasting (p-value <0.01). Conclusions: Crude oil spillage can increase household food insecurity and childhood malnutrition in the affected communities. Efforts should always be made to provide food aid to affected communities, irrespective of the cause of the spillage.

The human health implications of crude oil spills in the Niger delta, Nigeria: An interpretation of published studies

“…They also smothered economic trees and food crops, outrightly killing them or reducing their yield,21 causing a 60% reduction in household food security22 as assessed using the Cornell-Radimer scale and shown in Table 4. The oil spills also reduced the quality of food crops; the ascorbic acid content of waterleaf was reduced by 36% [Table 5]23 while the crude protein content of cassava was reduced by 40% [Table 6].…”

“…24 The food insecurity and deterioration of the quality of the staple food led to a 24% increase in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition in the affected communities [Table 7]. 22 The crude oil spills also resulted in the bio-accumulation of heavy metals in the surviving food crops like cassava and pumpkin [Table 8]. 25 The concentration of lead and cadmium increased in the leaves of pumpkin by 90% and 94.29%, respectively.…”

“…This could result in an up to 24% increase in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition [Table 5] and several hours of hunger pangs. These situations were said to be exacerbated in the Niger delta region by the near total absence of outside relief effort, such that members of the impacted communities were often left unassisted by the government and the oil company 22. The health implications of childhood malnutrition and hunger are obvious,48 but what is not well recognized is the implication of the exchange of sex for financial and other gratifications that is common in Niger delta communities, especially in a period of lack 49.…”

Quantifying the exposure of humans and the environment to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using advanced geostatistical techniques

“…Further, oil pollution has been shown to reduce crop yields due to reduction in soil fertility (Anifowose et al, 2014), as well as destroying crops and vegetation with economic value, such as trees. As most people in the rural areas of the Niger Delta depend on fishing and subsistence farming, the prevalence of food poverty is already problematic and is even more acute in spill contaminated lands (Ordinioha and Sawyer, 2009).…”

Environmental Insecurity and Erosion of Women Socio-economic Status in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Oil reduces soil fertility (Osuji and Nwoye, 2007), smothers economic trees and food crops; kill them out-rightly and reduce crop yield (Edema et al, 2009). Also, oil causes 60% reduction in household food security (Ordinioha and Sawyer, 2008) and reduces crops quality. According to Nwaoguikpe, (2011) the ascorbic acid content of waterleaf was reduced by 36%, while cassava crude protein content was reduced by 40% (Osam et al, 2011).…”